Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn stated on Sunday that his fighter, WBA World super-bantamweight champion Scott Quigg, would likely fight Nonito Donaire over bantamweight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux.
It appears Donaire caught wind of the statement, as he issued one of his own Tuesday, calling out Quigg, and going as far to say that he’s willing to fight the English fighter on his adversary’s home turf in Manchester.
Donaire (35-3, 23 KO’s) is a former champion in five weight classes. He was a super-bantamweight champion from February 2012-April 2013, leading up to his unanimous decision loss to Rigondeaux.
After defeating Simpiwe Vetyeka for the WBA Super World featherweight title in May 2014, Donaire was stopped by the ever powerful Nicholas Walters in his first defense in October later that year, and has since returned to the super-bantamweight division, where he’s won his last two fights by second-round stoppages.
After Quigg knocked out Kiko Martinez in two rounds, a guy that took Frampton the distance, a unification fight, according to Hearn, looks unlikely.
Frampton also fought on July 18th in his American debut against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. on the undercard of Chavez-Reyes. The Belfast fighter found himself on the canvas twice in the opening round but rebounded to dominate his inexperienced opponent from that point forward.
“If Frampton is getting knocked over twice by the 11th best super-bamtamweight in Mexico, he will never last five rounds with Quigg. He will move up to featherweight as an excuse to avoid a fight with Scott. He knows his frailties.”
The 32-year-old Donaire tells Boxing News via Sky Sports that he’s interested in the bout and is always willing to fight the very best.
“Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Scott’s fight [against Martinez], but I congratulate him for the victory against a really tough opponent.
“I’m very interested in that fight with Quigg. Hopefully, we can make that happen. He’s an incredible champion, and I always want to face the best out there.
“It would be around November/December time by the sounds of it. I’m just focusing on that right now, committing my mind to it regardless if it does happen or not because I know if it does happen, I’ll need to be at 100 percent.
“I would definitely be willing to travel there [Manchester]. I would love to visit the UK and the area and have a good time at the same time as doing my job. I’ll fight anyone, anywhere, just make the fight happen.
On the possibility of other opponents he’d be willing to dance with, Donaire mentioned a familiar foe.
“Definitely Frampton, definitely Rigondeaux, and anyone else who’s a world champion out there. I’d love to fight them.
“That would be a big fight against Frampton. I’m not choosy about where it is. I’m just a warrior and just want to go out there and do my best.
